How to Get a Category A1 Driving Licence in Latvia?

Latvia is one of the few EU countries where attending a driving school for Category A1 isn’t actually mandatory. You can legally self-study for the CSDD exam using the official road traffic rules and practice tests, then turn up and sit it. This piece covers what A1 authorizes, the self-study route versus formal training, the automatic riding right that comes bundled with several other license categories, and current costs.

What Category A1 covers

A1 authorizes motorcycles without a sidecar with an engine displacement up to 125 cc, a power output up to 11 kW, a power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.1 kW/kg, and a top speed of at least 90 km/h, plus tricycles up to 15 kW. Scooters over 49 cc also fall under A1.

Minimum age

You need to be 16 to sit the CSDD exam for A1, but you can begin studying and training from as young as 14.

Where A1 sits in Latvia’s motorcycle system

Latvia runs three motorcycle categories. A1 (16) is the entry tier, covering up to 125cc/11kW. A2 (18) covers up to 35kW, with engine displacement of at least 395cc and a power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.2 kW/kg. Full Category A, unrestricted, needs training from 22 and the CSDD exam from 24.

The self-study route: no driving school required

Unlike A2 and full Category A, which both legally require completing a driving school course, A1 has no such requirement. You can prepare independently using the official road traffic rules and practice tests, then go directly to a CSDD service center to sit the theory and practical exams. That said, driving schools generally recommend formal training anyway, arguing it’s both more economical and safer than repeatedly retaking the practical exam after self-taught gaps. The exam standard is the same whether you trained formally or not.

Documents you’ll need

You’ll need a passport or national ID card, a valid health certificate (med. izziņa) confirming fitness to ride, and, if you don’t already hold a driving license, a driving training permit (braukšanas mācību atļauja, informally called “white rights”) obtained from a CSDD customer service center. The minimum age to obtain this training permit for the A1 and B1 categories is 14.

The automatic right of way for other license holders

This is genuinely important to know before committing to a full A1 process. If you already hold a Category B (car) license or C1, D1, C, or D, you’re automatically permitted to ride A1-category motorcycles within Latvia, with no additional exam or training required at all. The catch: this entitlement is specific to Latvian territory. Ride the same 125cc-class bike outside Latvia, and this Latvian-specific permission generally won’t be recognized. Other countries frequently don’t honor it, so if you plan to ride abroad, a genuine A1 license (obtained through the CSDD exam) is the safer route. It’s also worth checking your specific vehicle against all three A1 criteria, cylinder capacity, power, and power-to-weight ratio, together, rather than assuming engine size alone tells you whether a machine qualifies.

The theory and practical exams

Once your documents and any required training are in order, CSDD administers both the theory and practical driving exams. There’s no fixed minimum number of practical lesson hours specifically mandated for A1, the way there is for A2 and full A (which require at least 10 lesson hours of 45 minutes each). Readiness for A1 is determined by whether you can pass the exam, not by a specific hour count.

What motorcycle will you use for training and testing

If you go the driving-school route, schools typically supply an A1-appropriate training motorcycle. If you’re self-studying and arranging your own practical preparation, you’ll need access to a compliant machine for both practice and the exam itself, since CSDD’s practical standards are the same either way.

Medical certificate and first-aid course

A valid health certificate is required and can be verified either online via e-CSDD or in person at a CSDD office; it can be obtained from a family doctor or through medical commissions set up for this purpose. A first-aid course is also required for a first-ever license, resulting in a certificate valid for five years. If you already hold a valid one from a previous license category, you don’t need to repeat it.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission motorcycle restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only, under the standard EU code 78.

Upgrading from A1 to A2, and onward to full Category A

Moving to A2 or full Category A does require completing a driving school course, unlike A1, which is a three-evening theory course (15 academic hours) plus at least 10 practical lesson hours, followed by the CSDD theory and practical exams. Any driving license category you already hold, including A1, serves as the basis to begin motorcycle lessons for A2 or A without needing the separate training permit required by complete beginners.

Validity

Latvian driving licenses, including Category A1, follow the standard EU photocard administrative validity period before renewal.

How the license is actually issued

Once you pass both the theory and practical exams, CSDD issues your card license showing the A1 entitlement. For A1 and B1 specifically, this can happen directly after exams without needing to complete driving school, unlike A2 and full A.

Foreign residents and license exchange

EU and EEA motorcycle licenses remain valid in Latvia without conversion. If you’re relocating from outside the EU/EEA, whether you can exchange your existing license for a Latvian one depends on whether Latvia has a reciprocal recognition agreement with your country of issue; without one, you’ll need to complete the Latvian theory and practical process.

Tips that actually help

• If you already hold a car license, remember you can ride A1-class motorcycles in Latvia, but get a genuine A1 license if you plan to ride abroad.
• Consider formal training; even though it’s not legally required for A1, it’s often cheaper overall than repeated retest fees after gaps in self-study.
• Check your health certificate’s validity through e-CSDD before booking your exam to avoid delays.
• If you already hold a first-aid certificate from a previous license, confirm its five-year validity rather than assuming you need to redo the course.

Where this fits going forward

A1 in Latvia is genuinely one of the more flexible entry points in the EU, with the self-study option and the automatic right to ride for other license holders both offering viable alternatives to a full formal course. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Latvia and license eligibility pages provide a broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by case in Latvia. Always confirm current requirements with the official Latvian sources before making decisions: CSDD. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.